Chapter 1669: The Greatest War

It was over.

Tuogu Lin nearly passed out. He knew there was no escaping death this time.

Tuogu Yu shot him another cold glance before turning back to Tuogu Yuan, his tone soft, "Don't worry. Once you return to the Tuogu Clan, no one will dare lay a hand on you. As for those who've wronged you before. Trust me, they won't ever show up in front of you again."

Tuogu Lin looked utterly defeated.

Tuogu Yuan turned to him as well. When Tuogu Lin saw that look, he revealed a bitter smile.

So he really is going to kill me today, huh? Fine. I'll die if that's what he wants.

Tuogu Yu's expression darkened. He slowly clenched his fist; he didn't want to do it, but if he didn't kill Tuogu Lin, Tuogu Yuan would never agree to return to the clan.

Just as Tuogu Yu was about to act, Tuogu Yuan suddenly said, "Clan Leader, there's no deep grudge between Brother Lin and me. If anything, we've come to know each other through conflict.

"In the end, he was only acting for the good of the clan. Let's just let the past go."

Tuogu Lin froze. He thought he'd misheard. He stared at Tuogu Yuan in disbelief.

Even Tuogu Yu was briefly surprised. Upon seeing that Tuogu Yuan was serious, his look of surprise gave way to admiration. He turned to Tuogu Lin and asked, "Well? Aren't you going to thank your senior?"

Tuogu Lin quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Thank you."

Those words came from the bottom of his heart.

Tuogu Yuan simply smiled and said nothing more.

He understood that the Tuogu Clan was treating him well because of Ye Guan instead of his own merit. He had no foundation in the clan's main branch... no allies, no roots.

If he got Tuogu Lin killed before he'd even set foot there, the clan would undoubtedly see him as a threat. They wouldn't dare harm him directly because of Ye Guan, but he'd definitely be isolated.

He wouldn't survive there for a long time.

With that in mind, he chose to turn an enemy into a friend.

At the very least, Tuogu Lin's branch of the clan would be grateful. It would give him a foothold, too.

Years of wandering had taught him that whenever the world became cold, one would have to rely on one's own strength. One couldn't depend on others; no one owed anyone anything. And if one wanted a relationship to last, it had to be built on mutual benefit.

Tuogu Yu stared at him in a different light.

This boy is worth grooming as a future heir.

Soon, Tuogu Yuan left with the Tuogu Clan, vanishing into the sky.

Back in the ruins, Wu Yunzai glanced at Shendao Chen's group and the others.

Then, he turned to Yang Seng and said, "Let's go."

Yang Seng nodded and left with Wu Yunzai.

Just then, a middle-aged man appeared before Shendao Chen. It was Shendao Zong, the clan leader of the Divine Dao Civilization. He looked at Shendao Chen and asked, "Hard to accept?"

Shendao Chen remained silent with his head lowered.

Shendao Zong said, "You know the logic already. I won't repeat it. Just remember one thing—a man should rise where he falls."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Shendao Chen clenched his fists tightly. He couldn't deny it, this defeat hit him hard. He could feel it: Ye Guan hadn't even gone all out. But he, on the other hand, had used everything, even a Supreme Grade Weapon. Yet, he still lost.

The problem wasn't Ye Guan. He was the problem; he was too weak.

Shendao Chen took a deep breath and looked up. "I'm going to the Gate of Suffering to cultivate."

The Gate of Suffering was the harshest cultivation ground in all existence.

In the distance, Shendao Zong paused. After a moment of silence, he said, "Approved."

***

Ye Guan's return spread like wildfire across the Origin Universe.

The Young Master of the Immortal Treasures Pavilion had appeared and not just reappeared, but instantly made a name for himself in battle.

Even Shendao Chen, the famed genius of the Divine Dao Civilization, had been defeated.

Ye Guan's fame soared to unprecedented heights.

Now, everyone was curious: who was stronger? The Young Master of the Immortal Treasures Pavilion, or the mysterious heir of the Guanxuan Domain?

People were already placing bets. They were convinced that those two monsters would face each other eventually.

***

Ye Guan was following the commander of the Immortal Pavilion Guard to a bamboo grove. Once they got there, the commander stopped and didn't walk any further.

The pavilion had a "main hall" elsewhere; it was only nominal. Wherever Qin Guan resided, the true headquarters would be there.

Ye Guan walked into the bamboo grove and found a familiar face—Little Ai.

She smiled warmly. "Young Master."

Ye Guan smiled back. "Long time no see, Little Ai."

She nodded with a grin. "Yes, it has been."

Ye Guan glanced toward a bamboo house nearby.

Little Ai said, "Pavilion Master is waiting for you."

Ye Guan nodded and walked over. As he approached the door, his heartbeat quickened. He pushed it open gently. Inside, a woman stood at a stove, cooking. She wore an apron, a pan in one hand, and a spatula in the other.

Hearing the door open, Qin Guan turned and smiled. "Last dish's almost ready. Go ahead and sit."

Ye Guan nodded. "Okay."

He sat down at the table. It was full, every dish was one he loved. His eyes welled up unexpectedly.

Qin Guan walked over with the last dish and set it before him. "This one's a hometown classic, stir-fried potatoes with green peppers. I am not sure if you've had it. Try it."

𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Ye Guan picked up his chopsticks and tasted the dish. Then, he looked at her and smiled. "It's... delicious."

Qin Guan beamed and served him a bowl of rice, adding more food to his plate. "Try this, too. Wait, why are you crying?"

Ye Guan grinned through his tears. "I'm just... happy."

For the first time in a long while, he finally felt like he was home.

Qin Guan said gently, "You've suffered a lot these years, haven't you?"

Ye Guan shook his head. "This is the path I chose. It's only right that I endure the hardship... Mother, look, I've become a Circle-Breaking Realm cultivator. A dual one too...!"

Qin Guan's eyes turned red. "My son has truly grown up."

Ye Guan wiped his eyes and smiled. "Come on, let's eat."

Qin Guan nodded. "Yes."

During the meal, Ye Guan grew more animated, recounting his adventures and battles. Qin Guan quietly listened, her eyes full of warmth.

After a long while, she said, "When you have time, go visit the Milky Way."

Ye Guan froze.

Qin Guan looked at him earnestly. "Go see Lady Cizhen. You owe her. And... you may need her help."

Ye Guan set down his chopsticks. "Mother... what exactly is the Supreme Will?"

Qin Guan answered simply, "The Supreme Existence."

Ye Guan looked at her. "Is that why you're here? Because this is the end of the road?"

Qin Guan smiled. "Smart boy."

Ye Guan fell silent.

Qin Guan added softly, "Erya, Lady An... they all stopped here. No one could go further. This place is the end of the line... for now."

Ye Guan asked, "What about Plain Skirt Aunt and...?"

Qin Guan said nothing, but her silence said everything.

Ye Guan's heart clenched. "So you're saying..."

Qin Guan nodded. "You guessed right."

Ye Guan's fists clenched tightly.

He finally discovered the truth; Plain Skirt Aunt, Qin Guan, and the others... they weren't just watching over him. They were waiting for someone to take the next step.

Not for "order" nor for the sake of the myriad beings.

They were waiting for someone strong.

Whoever's Dao was the strongest, they would become the one they had been waiting for.

He suddenly recalled the time when Plain Skirt Aunt had asked him if he wanted to keep walking his Dao. She'd said she could guarantee him a lifetime of peace if he stopped.

No wonder she took away his destiny aura; no wonder she said he'd grown up.

None of this was accidental.

Qin Guan said, "This is not only your limit. It's everyone's. Everyone who wants to go further gathers here, hoping to break through, to see what lies beyond."

Ye Guan asked quietly, "How much time do I have left?"

Qin Guan replied, "Not much."

Then she stood up. "Come with me."

They left the bamboo house and stepped into the vastness of space. Before them floated four massive light screens.

Ye Guan looked at them in awe. "What are these?"

Qin Guan explained, "Each trillion years is called a universe era. Based on our findings, this Origin Universe has experienced four such eras. Each time, a brilliant civilization rose and vanished without a trace."

Ye Guan narrowed his eyes. "A reset?"

Qin Guan nodded. "Yes. By the Supreme Will's decision."

Ye Guan asked, "And now we're in the fifth era?"

"Yes," Qin Guan replied.

Ye Guan looked at her. "Among these eras, how does this one fare?"

Qin Guan turned to him, sounding proud. "With the Yang Family and the Ye Clan together, our era is the strongest in history! And this coming war will be..."

She smiled faintly and added, "The greatest war the vast expanse has ever seen."